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Lead hvac technician vs air-conditioning mechanic

The differences between lead hvac technicians and air-conditioning mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a lead hvac technician and an air-conditioning mechanic. Additionally, a lead hvac technician has an average salary of $51,139, which is higher than the $44,852 average annual salary of an air-conditioning mechanic.

The top three skills for a lead hvac technician include ventilation, plumbing and preventive maintenance. The most important skills for an air-conditioning mechanic are ladders, ventilation, and condensers.

Lead hvac technician vs air-conditioning mechanic overview

Lead Hvac TechnicianAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Yearly salary$51,139$44,852
Hourly rate$24.59$21.56
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs64,06035,226
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Associate Degree, 26%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Lead hvac technician vs air-conditioning mechanic salary

Lead hvac technicians and air-conditioning mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead Hvac TechnicianAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Average salary$51,139$44,852
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $74,000Between $32,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyCarrierHalifax Health
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between lead hvac technician and air-conditioning mechanic education

There are a few differences between a lead hvac technician and an air-conditioning mechanic in terms of educational background:

Lead Hvac TechnicianAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Associate Degree, 26%
Most common majorHeating And Air ConditioningEnvironmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common collegeDunwoody College of TechnologyDunwoody College of Technology

Lead hvac technician vs air-conditioning mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between lead hvac technicians' and air-conditioning mechanics' demographics:

Lead Hvac TechnicianAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 98.2% Female, 1.8%Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 2.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between lead hvac technician and air-conditioning mechanic duties and responsibilities

Lead hvac technician example responsibilities.

  • Make sure that the department is complying with OSHA and EPA guidelines.
  • Research and recommend changes in water treatment to reduce replacement of parts in humidifiers.
  • Work with mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors to gather quotes for repairs and capital projects.
  • Repair, installation, maintenance of HVAC, and plumbing equipment as well as customer service.
  • Repair and replace light fixtures, dimmer switches, outlets, ceiling fans and outlets and fixtures.
  • Supervise install helpers and install heating air conditioning and ventilation.
  • Show more

Air-conditioning mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Maintain the equipment by reassembling the evaporators, condensers and receivers, repackaging the valves.
  • Repair freezers, swamp coolers, condensers, pumps and other relate equipment.
  • Maintain drains, PVC, piping, and systems for inspectional services reviews.
  • Experience in soldering and brazing for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration piping.
  • Install and repair ventilation systems in the dining facility and buildings (whole compound).
  • Specialize in brazing copper pipe (flexible and hard) and the installation of duct/ventilation system according to blueprint.
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Lead hvac technician vs air-conditioning mechanic skills

Common lead hvac technician skills
  • Ventilation, 49%
  • Plumbing, 3%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 3%
  • Heat Pumps, 3%
  • Routine Maintenance, 3%
  • Safety Procedures, 3%
Common air-conditioning mechanic skills
  • Ladders, 10%
  • Ventilation, 9%
  • Condensers, 5%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%
  • Ice Machines, 4%

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